Biography of John Thomas, page 944. History of De Kalb County, Indiana.  
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

John Thomas was born in Brown Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, Nov. 4, 
1806.  Of a family of eight children, comprising five sons and three 
daughters, he was the third from the eldest.  His father died when he was 
but sixteen years old, and consequently it became his duty to take charge 
of the family, which he did for a number of years.  In 1832 he became 
acquainted with Miss Anna Hoover, to whom he was married November 4, 1832, 
she being the fourth daughter of the late Judge John Hoover, of Stark 
County, Ohio.  From Stark County he and his estimable wife moved to 
Carroll County, where they resided till September, 1843, when they made 
their final removal, to De Kalb County, Ind., arriving here the 3d of 
October.  The country then was nearly and unbroken forest, but with hard 
labor and a firm determination, large fields were put under cultivation 
from which ample harvests were gathered.  They lived together in peace and 
harmony till 1861 when his amiable partner was called away to the 
immoralities of the spirit world from which no traveler returns. Dec 13, 
1863, he was married to Mrs. Rebecca Fisher, the second daughter of John 
Hoover, living with her till his death, Feb. 28, 1883, aged seventy-six 
years, three months and twenty-four days.  He left a widow and six 
children.  He was a kind father and a provident husband.  Never at 
variance, but always at peace with his neighbors, his enemies were few, 
but his friends were many. In his early years he belonged to the Baptist 
church, but later joined the Dunkard church.  The funeral services were 
held in Auburn in the Baptist church, and were conducted by Rev Barden and 
Elder Ward.

“Time did not pause in its onward flight,
Welcome the day or welcome the night.
Take the eye’s vision, as well as its hue,
Wrinkles for dimples more plentifully strew.
Take from the cheek the last of its bloom,
Only the faded belong to the tomb.
Withered and sere like the autumn leaf,
Ripe, full of grain, like the harvest sheaf.
Lord, I’m gathered safe into the fold,
Welcome be silver instead of gold.”

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com